Geno Smith says he believes Jets are his team

Geno Smith has started 29 of the past 32 games for the New York Jets, and despite speculation about his job security, he sees many more in his future.

"You have to expect anything [with the draft], but going out there, I believe this is my team," Smith said Wednesday at the team's voluntary minicamp.

"I'm not going to sit here and talk about it. I want to lead this team the right way, and I want to continue to get better as a player. I really hate to talk about myself, because it's more about this team and the way that we're going."

New coach Todd Bowles still hasn't named a starting quarterback, saying Smith and veteran addition Ryan Fitzpatrick will compete in training camp. There's also a good chance the Jets will draft a quarterback, but probably not in the first round.

For months, they've been linked toMarcus Mariota, but there are indications the Jets would pass on the former Oregon star in the unlikely event he slips to them with the sixth pick.

Despite an 11-18 record and 34 career interceptions, Smith remains confident he's the right man for the job.

"There's always other guys, and there's always going to be competition," he said. "I've always welcomed it, and I still do.

"I don't listen to the outside noise. I don't think it's important at all. I don't think it motivates me. I'm motivated by the fact that we need to win."

Smith appears to have the backing of owner Woody Johnson, who indicated that the Jets can make him better by improving his supporting cast.

"He's going to mature," Johnson said Tuesday at a charity event in Manhattan. "He's not going to be making rookie mistakes anymore, and he's not going to be making sophomore mistakes anymore, hopefully. If he can carry over the way he finished last year, when he played against the Dolphins [in the final game], he played OK. So if he can keep that going, we're good. We're going to get him more targets."

The Jets traded for Fitzpatrick, whom they consider a viable option because of his familiarity with Chan Gailey's offensive system. Only four months removed from a broken leg, Fitzpatrick is limited in minicamp, but he said Monday he expects to be ready for training camp.